A sad defection from the ranks of those who had been active in the
reformation work was that of J. C. Fisher, which has been already
referred to. He was a very effectual preacher. It was through
his efforts that the original company was raised up at Carson
City, Mich., where he lived at the time. Also it was through his
instrumentality that the work was started in southwestern Michigan
and in some other parts of the country. Through a lack of his
consecration, sad to say, he became unfaithful in his marriage
relation and found affinity with another. After being patiently and
faithfully counseled by Brother Warner and others, and after it
became evident that he was rejecting all admonitions, and in fact had
married another woman, he had to be renounced and cut off from the
fellowship of the saints.
This was a distinct loss to the cause, for Fisher had been a very
successful evangelist, and had a great influence. His error, however,
was plain, and there were scarcely any who were sufficiently in
sympathy with his actions to be to any extent drawn away with him.
As a part of this chapter, we wish to include an article from one
of the earlier Trumpets, written by a contributor, which touches
the central principle of the reformation, the principle which
distinguishes it from all other movements. It is on this line, the
ruling authority of the Holy Ghost, that the reformation proceeds.